posted at 7:29 pm on March 30, 2009 by Allahpundit

All kinds of e-mails streaming in about this. The question, as best as I can decipher it: Whether AIG was correct in citing Connecticut’s Wage Protection Act as a reason for why it was legally compelled to pay the bonuses. The counterargument, per the Connecticut AG: The payments were bonuses, not “wages,” and therefore weren’t compulsory. The focus of the segment: Whether Connecticut’s AG is an insult to George Washington by using his “vampire fangs” to bleed companies dry. There’s no news value to this but high drama, especially given Blumenthal’s incredibly feeble defense of his own actions. Pop the popcorn and enjoy.

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Segments like this cut to the heart of Beck’s appeal. He is the only person out there advocating for principal. Everyone else bickers about policy, but Beck speaks to those of us whose concerns are more fundamental.

That AG looked like a doofus who ran into a buzz saw. I doubt he ever had an interview like that, ever. It was clear to see he acts in a manner that is political and not in keeping with his duty and the law he is sworn to serve. He said as much.

It was just beautiful. Blumenthal’s been bloviating for years in Connecticut. There isn’t a lawsuit he’s not willing to stick his nose into. What a jerk. Pray to God he doesn’t run for Governor. God I hate lawyers.

I am writing before reading, because I don’t want you all to influence me. I thought Beck was over the top.

However, if this anger had been directed at Chris Dodd, Barney Frank, Nancy Pelosi, or Barack Obama then I would have enjoyed it emensely! I wish I could say that stuff to Chris Dodd! Or even better Nancy Pelosi about the stimulus bill… I would have been so with him.

These guys need to be reminded that we understand this scapegoating game and they won’t get away with it.

the hypocrisy of the donks “rage” at “big business” and “big bank” is funny considering that the cost of education has grown far more quickly than inflation and “big lawyer” is wrecking the country just as surely as “big bonus”….

Oh and I was a little put off that he mocked the guy from Church… I bet he’s popular with his ward after that! I bet his wife is yelling at him over that! “You mocked Brother “Banker” on national TV! What were you thinking!”

My take was Glenn was asking the AG if he had the attority under the constitution, I know that is not what we do under bho, to do what he did. The AG was unable to answer, I saw this and it was fun. Love Glenn or not, he rocks!
L

Should have yelled at this asshat in Gov for another 11 minutes but the AG had to run, tail between legs to his next Acorn meeting. Weird part is Beck didn’t yell at the guy, just asked a pertinent judicial question regarding under what authority the AG went after money that these people “didn’t deserve” when he had already stated that he couldn’t question the money that Chris Dodd had received from AIG as that was a “Federal Issue”. I have a hard time understanding this logic. Alinsky activism? hmmmmm….. make the most assinine, unjustified argument and stir up trouble, the end justifies the means. (us common folk really don’t understand the sophisticated philosophy to support the premise)

When Attorney Generals devote themselves to promoting what ought to be law, particularly heinous when not defined as their “wish” but arguments presented AS IF a matter of “yes or no” law, then the Attorney Generals are not doing their job of defending what IS the law, and the rights of those who obey the law.

Simple enough, and the AG finally had to admit the status of factual vs. wish-list matter.

I am writing before reading, because I don’t want you all to influence me. I thought Beck was over the top.

Yes, Beck was over the top, but the CT AG deserved to be taken to the woodshed.

However, if this anger had been directed at Chris Dodd, Barney Frank, Nancy Pelosi, or Barack Obama then I would have enjoyed it emensely! I wish I could say that stuff to Chris Dodd! Or even better Nancy Pelosi about the stimulus bill… I would have been so with him.

These guys need to be reminded that we understand this scapegoating game and they won’t get away with it.

Yes, that is true, but do you honestly think that cast of characters would come on Beck’s show? The CT AG did, and was rightly chastised like a petulant child for the exact argument you put forth.

But it was a little embarrassing to see Beck get so out of control.

petunia

And Frank, Dodd, Pelosi, and the messiah aren’t embarrassing to watch as they grandstand?

I finally saw a real man on television…I don’t care if it was an act if it was phony, it was absolutely leg tingleeeeeee….I loved the AG’s squinty little liberal face, his trying to try his little liberal “taxpayer” baloney…….Glenn Beck the new James Bond.

Unbelievable, the Attorney General admits that he was enforcing a law that does not exist. In other words the Attorney General thinks… HE IS THE LAW. This is called thuggery and I’m afraid we are going to see more and more of it with the Democrats in power and encouraging it at all levels.

Blumenthal is a perfect example of dangerous people in positions of power. These people need to be thrown out as quickly as possible, and Connecticut’s replacement for AG ought to pursue Blumenthal for his clear abuse of power while in office. Obviously, none of this will happen because our governmental machinery has been destroyed by the lying scumbags on the left.

Aside from that, Blumenthal is dumber than a box of rocks. Someone should have warned him not to go on TV if he had no idea what the heck he was talking about.

A nice demonstration of Liberal myopia and misunderstanding of the rule of law. Also a stellar example of how the MSM has lost its will and its way. Beck is doing the job that the MSM refuses and at this point is constitutionally incapable of doing: pressing the issues and asking hard questions.

When did Connecticut turn into Vermont? Who are these unsightly Socialists who embarrass themselves and their once great state?

This Blumenthal idiot goes a long way to show how the likes of Dodd can fester.

Ouch! Such a simple question… “what law was broken”… I would have expected an AG to be better prepared.

In the same vein as the AG’s reply, people working for $1/year “feels” wrong. Why no effort to get their pay raised to minimum wage? 90% taxes “feels” wrong, why no effort to advocate “change”, clearly his impression of his job description”, to get these reduced?

Ouch! Such a simple question… “what law was broken”… I would have expected an AG to be better prepared.

In the same vein as the AG’s reply, people working for $1/year “feels” wrong. Why no effort to get their pay raised to minimum wage? 90% taxes “feels” wrong, why no effort to advocate “change”, clearly his impression of his job description”, to get these reduced?

Neo-con Artist on March 30, 2009 at 8:06 PM

If he had integrity the AG would have been honest and said “the law of the jungle” ie “we bought the right to nail you when you took the money”….

I wish someone would buy Beck just one hour of primetime on a major network to be able to speak to the masses instead of just the choir. His populist message could help challenge the BS that most of the country hears from the MSM.

I watched the clips of Beck on the Daily Beast. I laughed once again at Beck… but they missed some of the best stuff… It reminded me why I like Beck. And my guess is he draws the same people who are attracted to Sarah Palin.

Like it or not Glen Beck is “everyman”. He is who Americans are. The psuedo intellectualism of the left is hilarious!!! Except they are in power now so it really isn’t so funny.

Some workers are deemed to be employees by statute. For an exempt organization, the most common employees in this category are its officers. In addition, while not as prevalent in an exempt organization, the following workers are also statutory employees:

*
A full-time traveling or city salesperson who solicits orders from wholesalers, restaurants, or similar establishments on behalf of a principal. The merchandise sold must be for resale (e.g., food sold to a restaurant) or for supplies used in the buyer’s business;
*
A full-time life insurance agent whose principal business activity is selling life insurance and/or annuity contracts for one life insurance company;
*
An agent-driver or commission-driver engaged in distributing meat, vegetables, bakery goods, beverages (other than milk), or laundry or dry cleaning services; and
*
A home worker performing work on material or goods furnished by the employer.

An employer should indicate on the worker’s Form W-2 whether the worker is classified as a statutory employee. Statutory employees report their wages, income, and allowable expenses on Schedule C (or Schedule C-EZ), Form 1040. Statutory employees are not liable for self-employment tax because their employers must treat them as employees for social security tax purposes.

Page Last Reviewed or Updated: January 06, 2009

Stat Employees are exempt from SE Tax but they get nailed by reporting all their volume as schedule C work….

they are exempt from the SE hit because despite their generating 100% of their wage from self hustle the organization they are “officers” in must take care of the employee portions of the SS and Medicare fun….

However, if this anger had been directed at Chris Dodd, Barney Frank, Nancy Pelosi, or Barack Obama then I would have enjoyed it emensely! I wish I could say that stuff to Chris Dodd! Or even better Nancy Pelosi about the stimulus bill… I would have been so with him.

These guys need to be reminded that we understand this scapegoating game and they won’t get away with it.

But it was a little embarrassing to see Beck get so out of control.

petunia on March 30, 2009 at 7:42 PM

This was actually standard Beck. I have to give Blumenthal credit for going on the show…as much as I hate to do that. As a matter of fact I can’t quite figure out why he did, unless he’s so arrogant and ignorant that he thinks he’s above being questioned. I get the feeling he thought he could handle Beck, and I’m sure all his Liberal cronies will slap him on the back for ‘keeping his cool and making Beck look bad.’ Ya…right…LOL

And Beck does “direct” “anger” at the others you named..they just don’t go on his show to respond. Maybe they’re smarter than the AG?

As for Beck being “out of control,” he was very much in control. He utilized outrage in a very effective manner without foaming at the mouth…unlike so many of the Liberal media commentators.

A comment on style, not substance. Beck was relentless, on the verge of bullying. I love Glenn, and I love relentless, but this time he came on a little strong, IMO. Under the circumstances, the AG stood his ground in very decent fashion, though I certainly agree with Glenn on the substance here.

I live in Connecticut, and I can assure you that Blumenthal (kindly known as the Teflon Don in these parts) is the most repulsive, anti-democratic tin-pot dictator one can imagine. There’s no low too low for him to stoop to, period.

Let me start by saying I’m a “sick, twisted freak” [Glenn speak]. That being said, why is it so hard for some to believe that maybe, just maybe Glenn is the real deal? Maybe he really does believe what he says and maybe he doesn’t do it for any reason other than his love of country. Yeah, I know he needs to make a living, but his radio ratings actually suffered when his message became a little too gloomy for some. It didn’t stop him. I guess I’m just naive, but after listening to Glenn every day for the last two years I find him to be very sincere.

With Obama expecting everyone around him to resign,
with a single pointing of his finger,and yes I’m being
a tad sarcastic,

demanding bonuses to be returned,Ceo’s of company’s to
resign,at Hopey’s leisure,when will the political wild
fires get stoked under the CEO’s and management who ran
Freedie Mac and Fanny Mae into the ground!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If Liberals are cleaning house,when and the hell are they
going to clean their mess,in which all roads of this’CRISIS’
leads start back to them!

If CEO’s are going to get bounced,and bonus’s are going to
be repaid back,

when will the Liberal Party do their part!

Fire———-Barney Franks!

Fire——— Dodds!

Fire———-Raines!

And, any other Liberals connected there of!

AND HOW ABOUT,who,what,when,how this ‘CRISIS’ came to be
so maybe,next time,mechanisms,rules,and ‘OVERSIGHT’ can be
in place,so this won’t happen again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If only Beck were an original. We’ve seen this kind of hucksterism years before. I particularly love when he goes “do you think this kind of thing makes ME popular?” Uh dude? Of COURSE you think it makes you popular, it’s why you do it. Your job is to get ratings and be popular. Honestly do people here not understand that Beck is just the latest iteration of the populist huckster? He’s playing a role.

I do think I misread you a little. I thought you were implying a special exemption for insurance salesman over other statutory employees. (That wouldn’t surprise me – the IRC continues to surprise me at times.)

And while it’s true statutory employees don’t pay SE tax, their employers do need to pay FICA/Medi. Their wages aren’t directly subject to SS, but they’re paying them indirectly. They simply suffer lower wages due to their employers having to pay the tax.

The thing is,, Glen Beck, Rush, Hannity, they are actually only doing what real journalists are suppose to do!!
If the mainstream so called media were alive,,, they would be doing the exact some thing!!! The Democrat Marxist party has gotten as far as it has because the main stream so called media sits at the feet of the Democrat party!!
And then,, where are the freaking useless Republicans???
What good are they??? Where is the opposition???? Do we have another party??? Anybody know???Sometimes I feel I have heard more protests coming from Communist China over what Obama is doing than I have from Republicans!!